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Burton and the Christmas Tree
ABOUT THE BOOK The fourth title in V.A. Boeholt's delightful Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree shares an endearing message of caring that captures the true feeling of holiday giving. When Firry, a proud Douglas fir, is damaged and discarded on his way to the Christmas tree lot, he is rescued by Burton the Scarecrow and a host of his little woodland friends. Repaired but forever changed, Firry fears that he's lost his special purpose until his history of bragging gives way to humility and he learns a valuable life lesson. Discovering the importance of service to others, Firry finally understands what it truly means to be first rate. WHAT MAKES BURTON AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE A HOLIDAY FAVORITE? Building on the legacy of Burton the Kind Scarecrow, V.A. Boeholt's fourth picture book teaches a universal lesson of friendship that embodies the holiday season by reinforcing important character-building principles like self-acceptance, being a role model, and overcoming obstacles. Coupled with Nathaniel P. Jensen's vibrant illustrations, Boeholt's rich narrative brings Burton, Firry, and their friends to life, celebrating diversity, compassion, and the joy of giving. The story's heartfelt message is reinforced by an innovative Resource Guide and Glossary, outlining story concepts, suggesting reader/listener connecting points, and recommending supplementary activities. Like each book in the Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree creates a picture-perfect learning opportunity for parents, teachers, and children to share year round. Earned Honorable Mentions at the 2013 Paris Book Festival and 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival!
1115183183
Burton and the Christmas Tree
ABOUT THE BOOK The fourth title in V.A. Boeholt's delightful Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree shares an endearing message of caring that captures the true feeling of holiday giving. When Firry, a proud Douglas fir, is damaged and discarded on his way to the Christmas tree lot, he is rescued by Burton the Scarecrow and a host of his little woodland friends. Repaired but forever changed, Firry fears that he's lost his special purpose until his history of bragging gives way to humility and he learns a valuable life lesson. Discovering the importance of service to others, Firry finally understands what it truly means to be first rate. WHAT MAKES BURTON AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE A HOLIDAY FAVORITE? Building on the legacy of Burton the Kind Scarecrow, V.A. Boeholt's fourth picture book teaches a universal lesson of friendship that embodies the holiday season by reinforcing important character-building principles like self-acceptance, being a role model, and overcoming obstacles. Coupled with Nathaniel P. Jensen's vibrant illustrations, Boeholt's rich narrative brings Burton, Firry, and their friends to life, celebrating diversity, compassion, and the joy of giving. The story's heartfelt message is reinforced by an innovative Resource Guide and Glossary, outlining story concepts, suggesting reader/listener connecting points, and recommending supplementary activities. Like each book in the Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree creates a picture-perfect learning opportunity for parents, teachers, and children to share year round. Earned Honorable Mentions at the 2013 Paris Book Festival and 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival!
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Burton and the Christmas Tree

Burton and the Christmas Tree

Overview

ABOUT THE BOOK The fourth title in V.A. Boeholt's delightful Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree shares an endearing message of caring that captures the true feeling of holiday giving. When Firry, a proud Douglas fir, is damaged and discarded on his way to the Christmas tree lot, he is rescued by Burton the Scarecrow and a host of his little woodland friends. Repaired but forever changed, Firry fears that he's lost his special purpose until his history of bragging gives way to humility and he learns a valuable life lesson. Discovering the importance of service to others, Firry finally understands what it truly means to be first rate. WHAT MAKES BURTON AND THE CHRISTMAS TREE A HOLIDAY FAVORITE? Building on the legacy of Burton the Kind Scarecrow, V.A. Boeholt's fourth picture book teaches a universal lesson of friendship that embodies the holiday season by reinforcing important character-building principles like self-acceptance, being a role model, and overcoming obstacles. Coupled with Nathaniel P. Jensen's vibrant illustrations, Boeholt's rich narrative brings Burton, Firry, and their friends to life, celebrating diversity, compassion, and the joy of giving. The story's heartfelt message is reinforced by an innovative Resource Guide and Glossary, outlining story concepts, suggesting reader/listener connecting points, and recommending supplementary activities. Like each book in the Friendship Tales from the Farm series, Burton and the Christmas Tree creates a picture-perfect learning opportunity for parents, teachers, and children to share year round. Earned Honorable Mentions at the 2013 Paris Book Festival and 2013 Great Midwest Book Festival!

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781589852068
Publisher: Five Star Publications, Incorporated
Publication date: 09/24/2013
Series: Burton the Scarecrow aC" Friendship Tales from the Farm Series , #4
Pages: 38
Product dimensions: 7.80(w) x 10.30(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range: 6 - 7 Years

About the Author

V.A. Boeholt, Ph.D., has made professional contributions to students, parents and instructors around the world as a teacher, author, and curriculum/program developer. Now extending her influence to children's literature, she is delighted to introduce young readers to the endearing Burton the Scarecrow--Friendship Tales from the Farm series, bringing Burton to life with memorable lessons in character development, service, and gardening. For more information, please visit www.ScarecrowStories.com.

Nathaniel P. Jensen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas and contributes professionally across multiple mediums, including architecture, 3-dimensional canvas, print media, and television/feature film animation. As an award-winning children's book illustrator, he has illustrated 10 titles to date. Often dressing the part of his subject matter, Nate enjoys presenting classroom workshops to students throughout the State of Texas.

Jennifer Steele Christensen, MSW, has widespread experience with print and broadcast media throughout Utah and Arizona. Working with Five Star Publications, Inc., she has provided manuscript evaluations, editing services and marketing/promotional support for more than 30 Five Star titles. A mother of five, she is also involved in nonprofit work with Utah Public Radio and the Child & Family Support Center of Cache County, Inc.

Providing award-winning graphic design services for clients around the world, Kris Taft Miller (KT Design, LLC) specializes in logos, web and collateral design, book covers/interior layouts, print projects and video editing. She has created more than 60 book covers, interior layouts and marketing designs for Five Star Publications, Inc. and spent seven years in the Walt Disney Animation Communications Department as a graphic designer, art director, producer, writer, presenter and editor.

Read an Excerpt

Burton and the Christmas Tree

By V. A. Boeholt, Nathaniel P. Jensen

Five Star Publications, Inc.

Copyright © 2013 V. A. Boeholt
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-58985-207-5
CHAPTER 1

Firry was a Douglas fir Christmas tree. He enjoyed feeling the cold, crisp air of wintertime on his limbs and watching snowflakes flutter softly all around him. "Christmas will soon be here," Firry said to the trees nearby. "Hopefully, Mr. Arbor will select me to be sold. I am ready!"

Mr. Arbor's Christmas Tree Farm was known far and wide. Its Douglas fir, Noble fir, and other pine trees were of superior quality and were prized for their beauty. Each year, Mr. Arbor donated his best tree to the nearby community for the town's annual holiday lighting ceremony.

Whenever the children saw Mr. Arbor in town, they would beg, "Please tell us about the tree! Will it be tall and wide? Will it be decorated with fancy ornaments?"

Mr. Arbor would always smile, wink, and say, "We will see."

Shortly before Christmas, Mr. Arbor and his crew tromped up and down between the rows of trees. Some trees were selected to be sold right away, while others needed more growing time.

"Mr. Arbor and the inspector will be in our field today," Firry said, proudly swaying his limbs. "When the pruners shape and trim our branches, they often stop to admire me. One of the pruners said that I would be the first tree sold off the lot, and another pruner said that I was the most handsome and healthy tree here."

Noble's widely spaced, blue-green branches swished and shook with anger. "Firry, you are a bragger," he grumbled. "I hope you are picked so we won't have to listen to you anymore!"

Standing next to Noble, Piney spoke out. "Firry, you are always thinking about yourself," she said. "The rest of us believe that bringing joy and happiness to others is the real feeling of Christmas, but you don't seem to have it ...

... Everything is all about you."

Just then, Mr. Arbor, the inspector, and their helpers stopped in front of Firry. It was his turn to be examined and rated. The inspector called out.

He is tall n' straight and first rate.

He is blemish-free and first rate.

He is plump n' green and first rate.

He is nicely topped and first rate.

Mr. Arbor agreed. "Firry is ready to be sold this year," he announced. "He is one of our finest trees. Take good care of him, guys."

The crew and Mr. Arbor moved along, selecting more trees to sell.

Firry was thrilled to be chosen and was proud to have received a rating of highest quality.

The trees to be sold were tagged and sawed down. Their branches were tied, and they were stacked into piles to wait for the delivery trucks. Mr. Arbor's helpers carefully placed Firry on top of a pile.

Firry's needles sizzled with excitement. At last, he would be off to a Christmas tree lot. He could imagine being chosen by a family. Every day, they, along with their friends and neighbors, would admire his beauty.

Firry's daydreams were suddenly interrupted by the delivery truck driver hollering to his helpers. "Make it snappy and get those trees on the truck!" he shouted.

Being on top, Firry was the first to be moved. He hit the truck's floor with a thud. As tree after tree was flung on top of him, Firry couldn't budge. He felt pinched and squished.

Once it was loaded, the truck started off down a bumpy road. The freshly cut tree trunks on top of Firry began to lose their sap as they were jiggled up and down. Firry could feel the sticky sap dripping on him.

Suddenly, the truck swerved to avoid hitting a big rock. It lurched, jerked, and stopped. The truck's tailgate flew open with a loud clank, and trees tumbled out onto the ground in all directions. It was a mess!

Firry was crushed under a stack of evergreens. His shapely top crown was split and bent to one side. The bottom half of his trunk was broken off completely.

"Oh, no! I'm ruined," the once beautiful tree groaned.

One by one, the delivery crew reloaded the fallen trees onto the truck. When at last they came to Firry, he heard the heartbreaking news. "Leave this useless, damaged tree here," the driver yelled to his helpers. "We're late, and the weather is getting bad. Let's get going."

As snow began to fall, the truck drove away.

Firry was left alone, feeling tired, sticky, and scared. Falling asleep on the hard, cold ground, he was soon covered with a blanket of snow.


(Continues...)
Excerpted from Burton and the Christmas Tree by V. A. Boeholt, Nathaniel P. Jensen. Copyright © 2013 V. A. Boeholt. Excerpted by permission of Five Star Publications, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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